Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram believes Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy has been key to the team’s winning run of 11 matches that began in the 2014 Indian Premier League.
Kolkata are undefeated in the CLT20 and will be aiming for their third victory when they meet Perth Scorchers tonight.
Akram feels Gambhir’s attacking approach makes him a fantastic captain. “The credit for the success of any team goes to the captain first, the way he has led the troops in IPL and here in CLT20,” he said.
“I reckon he is one of the best captains in this Champions League because his psyche is to get wickets.
“The only way you can stop runs is to get wickets. If you have noticed, after six overs or eight overs, instead of bowling part-time bowlers he tries to get wickets. I think that is the key to his success.”
The Pakistani bowling legend praised the bonding in the Kolkata camp, which he says has been another factor driving the team forward. “The best thing about KKR is, it is like a family. We enjoy each others company and we support each other. The foreign players have also become a part of the team.
“Those who could not come due to injuries like Morne Morkel… there is a group formed on WhatsApp, they send congratulatory messages after the match.”
Akram warns that the Scorchers are a dangerous side and the Big Bash champions have quality spinners in Ashton Agar and Brad Hogg, “Their spinners are more handy so far than the fast bowlers,” he said.
